Shoe-fastening device.



No. 7|4,l30. Patented Nov. 25, I902.

W. BECKER SHUE FASTENING DEVICE.

(Application filed Feb. 7. 1902.)

m: norms FEYERS co, PHOTO-LIVING" wAsHmbYou, u. c.

UNITE STATES ATENT FFICE.

WILHELMINE BECKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SHOE-FASTENING DEVICE.

$PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 714,130, dated November 25, 1902.

Application filed February '7, 1902. Serial No. 93,062. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILHELMINE BECKER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Fastening Devices; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in fastening devices, and is shown more particularly embodied as a shoe-fastening device.

The object of this invention is to provide a secure fastening device adapted to positively secure together the meeting edges of an article of apparel and so constructed as to be quickly engaged and as quickly released from engagement.

The invention consists of the matters hereinafter described, and more fully pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a fragmentary side elevation of a side or quarter opening shoe provided with fastening devices embodying my invention and showing the opening closed. Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the fastening devicesseparated one from the other. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail illustrating the construction of the device and the method of engagement of the parts.

In the said drawings, A indicates a shoe which, as shown, opens on the quarter, providing arear underfold a and a front flap a, which folds over the underfold, as shown in Fig. l.

As shown, a resilient web 0. extends forwardly from the underfold a and is secured to the vamp, as shown in Fig. 2. The flap or-fold a is connected with the quarter of the shoe a by the webbing a Parallel with the front edge of the underfold a is provided a plurality of hooks or buttons B, rigidly secured on said fold, and if hooks are used directed rearwardly, as shown in Figs. 2and 3 and indicated by B.

0 indicates a wire bent to provide a plurality of open loops 0, adapted to engage over the hooks B. Said wire is rigidly secured in the front flap a of the shoe and the loops 0 project through the inner lining of the same, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, which when the flap is in its closed position are directed rearwardly and each engage on one of said hooks B. The wire forming the loops may be secured in any desired manner on the shoe. As shown, however, said wire is bent or curved between the loops, so that when the wire is placed in position in the flap a said flap may be stitched or sewed on each side of the wire, any number of lines of stitching being used, some of which extend across the base of the Wire, lying partly on each side thereof, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Inasmuch as each line of stitching extends on each side of the wire at some portion of its length between the loops said stitches act to bind the wire in position very firmly, which provides great flexibility.

The operation is as follows: In securing the shoe upon the foot the upper flap a is closed rearwardly against the tension of the Webbing, with all the eyes 0 engaging over said hooks B at practically one movement. This enables the shoe to be closed almost instantly, and when in position the resiliency of said webbing acts to hold the hooks and eyes from detachment, while the flexibility of the wire causes it to conform with the ankle. When, however, it is desired to release the foot from the shoe, a slight rearward pull on the flap a detaches said eyes from the hooks, thus permitting, if preferred, all to be released simultaneously.

Obviously details of construction of my device may be varied without departing from the principle of my invention.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination in a quarter-opening shoe, of a rear underfold and a front overfold, webbing connecting the front margin of the rear fold with the vamp, a plurality of sheet-metal hooks arranged in alinement on said rear fold, a wire bent to provide a plurality of closely-arranged eyes and an incurved portion between the eyes and stitched into the front fold with the eyes projecting outwardly to engage with the hooks, rear wardly-directed loops or eyes adapted to engage over the hooks.

2. In a fastening device, awire bent to pro- In witness whereof I have hereunto signed vide a plurality of loops or eyes and a single my name in the presence of two witnesses.

incnrved bend intermediate of the loops, and

lines of stitching one extending longitndi- WILHELMINE BECKER 5 nally at the base of the loops and bends and YVitnesses:

others extending on each side of the base por- ALFRED 0. ODELL,

tion and the loops. 0. W. HILLS. 

